In the era when Nationalism is blindly followed in India and been understood as the purest form of patriotism, Raag Desh brings an informative theatrical experience on one of the most crucial and underrated events that had accelerated country's independence in a massive way post Quit India Movement. Indian Army's (the desi servicemen of course) moral support over the trial of 3 INA officers followed by the mutiny of Royal Indian Navy in the same year 1946, made the British Raj realise that they would not be able to hold the administration & defense anymore which were mostly been served by Indians - Police, Army, Navy etc under the commands of British officials.
As a movie it stands out fair, specially to maintain historical accuracy and showcasing the limited awareness of mass for the INA activities till the trial started. Also it has successfully portrayed the roles of patriotic bureaucrats, who may not have marched the streets against British bullets but fought the administration from within. And the movie also quite truthfully shows, patriotism is not everyone's stick to keep it high, especially under government oppression where patriotism demands ultimate sacrifices both financially and physically, unlike the social network brawl these days. Not every captured soldier was convinced enough to get dragged into another battle they knew was quite impossible to win, and even when they volunteered, not everyone could walk till the end. That does not make them 'anti national' - but like any other fellow countryman who could not participate in anti British movements or like us who cannot rise up and resist every wrong doing around us because of the desire to have normal family life and live it.
Although its filmed in a documentary style, Raag Desh never drags at any point. The courtroom remains intense, flashback events are crisp and relevant, pacing is thorough. All the lead characters are quite believable, Amit Sadh deserves a special mention though. Music is one of the section where I felt it should have been compelled more powerfully and less melodic. 'Tumhe Namaami' is a fine track though. Action is the other section I was let down quite a bit. I understand the budget crunch Mr. Dhulia has faced in this non starer epic which actually demands & deserves some full phased battle scenes. But even the group contacts could have been handled with more realistic fighting tactics. Although its fair for bollywood but Mr. Dhulia you yourself have raised the bar for me !
But let me thank you for bringing such an important chapter of the pre-independence history which I'm sure can put some light to our little educated country to understand that Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Mahatma Gandhi are not everything we need to know about our glorious past !
